Born again Blue

I was reading with interest, expecting some Road to Damascus moment of enlightenment but your narrative disappoints in this respect. I'd love to know exactly how you came back into the fold — ToffeeWeb's veritable Prodigal Son (to belabour the biblical metaphors one more time).

Or was it as you infer, that you simply missed being a vibrant and active part of the 'community' and that you had made a mistake?

One thing I'd hoped you'd have learnt after your absence was to resist telling other portions of the fanbase community how they should be showing their support… but I see from your Fulham match comment and previous posts that the old and judgemental Martin is still alive and kicking hard.

Why not go the whole hog and force yourself to say only nice and supportive things about the manager, rather than using this platform to criticize him? Or is that negativity allowable because it happens to jive with what you really feel?

Going by your couple of comments on the game thread your age is showing and, if you don't already use spectacles, I think you need a visit to Specsavers; maybe all the memories of your previous visits lightened your mood.

Anyway, Martin, good health to you and yours in the future.

I believe that our best chance of doing that will be with Thelwell and Dyche running the playing side. The risk is The Friedkin Group will initiate change for change's sake, repeating the errors they have made at Roma where chaos reigns.

Even with the ownership, we have to accept that Rome wasn't built in a day and it will take time and won't happen overnight, but we can look forward with optimism.

The stadium will play a big part in that. My sister sent me some photos taken from the Wirral this morning. It's some sight and the first thing people will see on the cruise liners and, dependent on flight path, as they fly into JLA.

There will be change, but we have to embrace it, not fight it.

I never meant to defend Kenwright as such only against unfair or non-factual criticism and nothing since Moshiri came.

What I realise now is that his "getting the right kind of investor" was code for him remaining in total control and, I believe, to take the fortune that he believed was his by right.

It gave him a stage to play his final act, the destruction of the Club and a very close run thing it was. More Coronation Street than Gwladys Street though unfortunately for us. The Morecambe and Wise like performance of him and the owner was possibly the most inept ever seen in top football.

Apologies if my comment on the manager could be classed as negative. I did qualify it by admitting that I could well be wrong. I didn't state it as fact, only what I hope is a valid viewpoint?

Best wishes to all.

Everton have always been there through every moment of joy and sorrow in my life, it's been inescapable. Leaving was purgatory (sorry, it's the Catholic in me), it was like being in exile mentally…

But I'm glad you're back, because you're an Evertonian… frustrated, annoyed, saddened even, but still you hope for better times, as we all do.

I even look forward to the banter because it makes me try to understand perspectives, even if I disagree. But all of us can agree on one thing: we want to see Everton great again.

I'm amazingly positive at the moment and hope that I can keep that up.

Stay positive, mate.

I understand fans' frustration with Dyche and he really doesn't help himself at times but I think he is capable of keeping us in the Premier League until we go to the new ground. Other top-rated managers might not be able to do that with this squad and it is obviously vital that we remain in that league.

By the way, when you posted previously in past years, I never had any problem when you talked about football – I mostly agreed with your viewpoints; it was when you acted mischievously (?) that I disagreed with you.

As for Saturday's game Martin, I'm sorry if you're “disappointed” with some reactions, including mine, but the truth is, they were shite and shite only because of the way they were set up.

It was as if Dyche told them to sit back and counter-attack but forgot to mention the counter-attack bit. I remember near the end, I was getting irate with the fans leaving early but had to check myself as I remembered, I almost left after 20 minutes, we were that bad.

I'm going to Southampton next Saturday and I'm already excited about it. If we play the same, I know, come next Monday, I'll be excited about the West Ham game – t'was ever thus.

But I reserve the right to “disappoint” you by calling a shite performance for what it was – abso-fucking-lutely, shite!

Welcome back tho!

UTFT

Even when Martinez resurrected the club in his first season, I was dismayed by the faint praise among those awaiting the opportunity to put the boot in. You could see a plan based on loanees and bargain basement picks was no plan at all but it didn't matter - cometh the opportunity cometh the boot.

So around about the Old Trafford win I more or less binned football altogether - fantastic times.

I don't really know why I restarted – nothing has changed… it's almost certainly a mental illness. The only advice I would give you, Martin, is to not take Everton seriously and follow what Jimmy Kipling said in the chippy: "If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster, and treat those two impostors just the same, you'll have a great time at the bingo."

To get a point was a success and could be critical by the end of the season. "Surprised" at the reaction was maybe better. Tough this being born again and getting put on trial over words. :-)

Barry, was it Everton that had changed mid-Moyes or possibly the game, the EPL, even the rise of Social Media? I think a change had occurred and for the worse. Could we have done better than keep sacking managers?

Thanks for the advice too, I'll try to follow it.

I fully understand also how the events or non-events at Everton over the last 30 years had you disillusioned too. Well, football in general has changed significantly, and not for the better either.

Money, or too much of it, has killed the game as we knew it. Fans are a secondary or tertiary consideration. I can't see it ever changing now, to be honest, but many of us are hopelessly addicted to Everton first and foremost. It's like a marriage where divorce is not an option or a possibility.

Glad to see you back, albeit a temporary stay!

As I told you, I usually see the positive in any Blues performance, but that was the worst opening 40 minutes of any game I've ever seen us play.

It's often said that when Goodison is roaring and behind the team, it's like a bear pit for the opposition, but after 5 minutes the only sound was from the away end. Our supporters had nothing whatsoever to get behind, apart from the ball, like the 11 players in blue on the pitch.

Yes, it was a good point in the end, and I'd probably have accepted that before the game, truth be told, but if that performance was coached, I suspect it was by some school kid on work experience.

Show us your Master class, Sean, please.

Having said all that, personally, I fully agree that Sean Dyche should be allowed to see this season out (failing a disastrous run to the bottom) and I do expect him to see us to safety with games to spare. I hope he is rewarded for that and "fondly" remembered.

But I don't want him here for the next chapter.

UTFT

ps: I've never seen A Fish Called Wanda...

“ It's some sight and the first thing people will see on the cruise liners and, dependent on flight path, as they fly into JLA.”

I've mentioned this before Danny, a magnificent stadium and right near the three graces. But will anyone know what it is? Everton must grab this opportunity and have 'Everton' in massive letters where everyone can see it!

The previous board were too dim to recognise a gift horse when they saw it, let's hope Friedkin Group can realise the potential and let every tourist know who we are!

The original drawings had our name on it; let's not miss this chance.

Would be nice to see some of the old hands back. Anyone heard from Tony Marsh?

I suspect he spontaneously combusted towards the end of the Lampard era.

If you did do you reckon the break in the row of blue lights was just a case of dodgy bulbs or intentional.

I'm hoping the former.

💙💙💙..............💙💙

Mark, re fans on Saturday, I remember under Big Joe (can't recall the game), we had put in a flat performance and Joe said something along the lines of "We were waiting for the crowd to fire us up and the crowd were waiting for the team to fire them up".

I wonder if that contributed to Saturday's performance?

Your feelings on Everton really resonated with me but my overall feelings of despair and disappointment are as much to do with the beautiful game as they are to do with our club.

I'm glad we are leaving Goodison because I believe it has been cursed by a very sickeningly phoney man, but I hope that the stadium that has given me at least a few hundred memories of every single emotion possible, gets to go out with the bang she deserves.

I believe football has become a circus in many respects, VAR, inconsistent refs (sadly bordering on feelings of corruption), inconceivable shows like Ref Watch, and a sport which now has to concentrate on controversy to keep up the viewing figures, now that it has become such a saturated television sport.

That's just my opinion, and because I hardly watch much football, I'm not even sure it is correct. I get more enjoyment watching my 11-year-old playing now, especially on days like Saturday, when his young team played much better football. They even started getting to grips with the method behind it at times, which is not something I felt about our players when I watched Everton playing on Saturday night!

Goodison closes for good soon, and anyone who knows Goodison properly knows it gets a lot louder when Everton play on the front foot. I know it's not always possible with the current squad but, if Everton can't try and ruffle some feathers at Goodison, then there is something very badly wrong.

Never mind that, Andy, has anyone else noticed that Martin Mason and Paul Ferry are never in the same room at the same time??

A bit like Bruce Wayne and Batman… Makes you think!

I couldn't give a toss about stories from the 60s after the FA Cup semi-final loss v Liverpool. I thought what's the point, we will never be able to compete again. I did for a while lose interest but, like you say, it's impossible.

I'm carrying the hope this club can kick-start next season: new ground, new owners, and renewed hope! I have no great fondness for Goodison Park as most of my Everton years (I'm 55) I've seen some awful football and more relegation scraps than silverware.

I'm looking forward to being nowhere near Anfield. The Mersey belongs to Everton.

Everyone has missed your debating just like Marshy (They are never going to build that new stadium), and Doddy (Bill Kenwright is a saint), Steve Ferns (Marco Silva is the best coach in the world) and Jay Wood from South America and also our man in Europe (Alzheimer's has just kicked in and I've forgotten his name), but a family and community you can't escape ToffeeWeb that easily.

I think if we could just go on a really good run of form, many ex-ToffeeWebbers would be back.

Following on from Andy, it would be great to see Tony Marsh back!

I'm trying now in all walks of life's communications not to take things personally and not to react to provocation so here's to that.

I hope to say hello to a few that I know when I can get to some games but I have this feeling that we have turned a corner and tickets will be hard to get as hopes rise.

I went to Southampton last year when we were in a similar position and it was a great day and one when I realised how special our fans are as the trains had been cancelled and yet the away end was full with many families.

This weekend, I have to drive up to Derby to pick up some finished bike parts and get back to mind grandkids. Life is great and supporting Everton can enhance it but only if I put it in it's correct place. I didn't get past checking out, never mind leaving.

There are – remarkably – very few "constants" in life: we have family, friends, faith (for some) and national or racial/ethnic or socio-political identity?

Everton FC have, in all honesty, made every effort to dissuade me from supporting the club for near on 30 years, and my view is that we have become a divided fan base as a result of decades of piss-poor governance, leadership, and amateurish matchday experience to boot. We are currently a shit football team, and even harder to watch.

I am confident that the Friedkin / US model of ownership will deliver much improved matchday experience, but there will be a price to pay in terms of admission and hospitality: if we truly want to be back at the "top table" in the Premier League, then that's a pill we have to swallow.

Anyway, that song by The Eagles forever rings true!

I think nowadays, when people see it, even if they don't know what it is, they'll google it. It's already on Google Maps as Everton Football Club.

But the club needs to promote itself. I'll keep saying it until people are bored of listening to me.

Get Everton on that digital display on St John's so visitors see it as they leave Lime Street. Liverpool One, the Albert Dock. I don't know how feasible, but a display opposite their store near William Square. And at the airport.

Liverpool is a well visited city. Start promoting the brand and get the club recognised by those who visit.

For aways, my usual source has gone quiet on me so the best option is here on the family support site that is TW – the Tickets and Travel section right at the bottom often gets me a ticket and new friends (thanks Steve – see you Saturday!)

Let me know when you're back from the sun and congratulations on getting married! Love to Flo! 🥰

I don't think people leave (especially Evertonians) for any other reason than they care.

Sometimes it hurts too much.

I have started watching Match of the Day and Sky videos on YouTube. I still can't listen to radio commentaries. Radio commentary in the past was just such a wonderful experience, especially night matches eg EFC v Bayern Munich and many more.

I even tried to deny my Evertonianism by getting involved in supporting Rushden & Diamonds in non-league football.

But I was born an Evertonian and nobody can take that away from me!

I have so much respect for Lyndon and Michael, not only for their website efforts but keeping me from total blue despair!

I wish you well in your recovery Martin, manage your expectations around the timeline though!

I'm often disillusioned with the modern game and took the summer off all things Blue, avoiding reading about us or thinking about the club. I told myself that I could keep away from it but, a few days before the season kicked off, I was back here and raring to go.

I too feel that things are looking up for us and feel a tinge of optimism. I was happy with a jammy point at the weekend and a glance at the table shows that we'd be top half were it not for throwing away leads a couple of times.

It often isn't pretty under Dyche, we do get some decent performances though and occasionally play some ‘proper' football. I'm prepared for him to see the season out and, if we are safe with plenty of games to spare, see if he can entertain us and prove he is worth another season in our fabulous new stadium.

Welcome back, Martin.

As Steve says, relative success will change things and will see a groundswell of support from what is already an amazingly high level considering the train wreck that is EFC.

For me, relative success will be to keep improving, get out of this relegation spiral, and the club becoming financially stable. My timeline may be hopelessly optimistic and, tbf, I can't really see significant improvement coming from the current squad and set-up.

I believe that success is driven from the top down, not players up, so this season is really about survival and the takeover critical. I think that we have passed the bottom though and that we are destined to get some respect back as a club.

If ever any fans deserved it then it's Everton's. Thanks for the advice and potential help on tickets and UTFT!

I forgot and honorable mention for Eugene too. I've missed his savage humour.

One day soon, it could all click. What a turn-up for the book that would be.

If he is working on a system then I'd like to think we'd see some sort of plan and a gradual improvement on tactics and performance.

I see neither, in fact, I see regression and stubbornness from a man who is totally clueless with regard to the modern game.

Welcome back by the way mate.

He could be just fooling everybody with what we're serving up at the moment. I think not though.

We've had a few back and forths over the years but I sensed your post-match comments were about accentuating the positives of a game we were never ‘out of' and where we managed to come out even despite the deficiencies.